Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin doesn't believe wide receiver George Pickens is becoming a distraction, even as Pickens' public displays of dissatisfaction suggest otherwise.
The talented but enigmatic Pickens, who leads the Steelers (3-2) in receptions and yards, played a career-low 34 snaps during Sunday night's 20-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Pickens caught three passes for a season-low 26 yards on seven targets but also spent a significant chunk of the game as a spectator.
Tomlin called the dip in time for the 23-year-old Pickens an example of load management. "Most players, particularly in today's game that have specialized skill sets, they play positions like receiver (and) they don't play every down," Tomlin said Tuesday. "They don't play every down because you need them in significant moments.